1 2 3 4 5 6 7
the mountain of the Lord's Temple[51]
will be on the highest of all mountains.
It will be raised higher than the hills.
There will be a steady stream of people going there.
<2> People from many nations will go there
and say,
"Come, let's go up to the Lord's mountain.
Let's go to the Temple of the God of Jacob.[52]
Then God will teach us his way of living,
and we will follow him."
The teachings from God, the Lord's message,
will begin in Jerusalem on Mount Zion[53]
and will go out to all the world.
<3> Then God will be a judge
for the people of many nations.
He will end the arguments
for many[54] people in faraway countries.
They will stop using their weapons for fighting.
They will make plows from their swords,
and they will use their spears as tools for cutting plants.
People will stop fighting other people.
They will never again train for war.
<4> They will sit under their own
grapevine and fig tree.
No one will make them afraid.
That is because the Lord All-Powerful
said it would happen like that.
<5> All the people from other nations follow their own gods,
but we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever![55]
<6> The Lord says,
"Jerusalem was hurt and crippled.
She was thrown away.
She was hurt and punished,
but I will bring her back to me.
<7> The people of that 'crippled' city
will be the only ones left alive.
They were forced to leave,
but I will make them into a strong nation."
The Lord will be their king.
He will rule from Mount Zion[56] forever.
<8> And you, Tower of Flocks,[57]
your time will come.
Ophel, hill of Zion,
you will again be the seat of government.
Yes, the kingdom will be in Jerusalem
like it was in the past."
<9> Now, why are you crying so loud?
Is your king gone?
Have you lost your leader?
You are suffering like a woman
who is giving birth.
<10> Daughter Zion,[58] feel the pain.
Give birth to your "baby."
You must go out of this city.
You will live in the field.
That is, you will go to Babylon,
but you will also be saved from that place.
The Lord will go there and rescue you.
He will take you away from your enemies.
<11> Many nations have come to fight against you.
They say, "Look, there is Zion[59]!
Let's attack her!"
<12> They have their plans,
but they don't know what the Lord is planning.
He brought them here
for a special purpose.
They will be crushed
like grain on a threshing[60] floor.
<13> "Daughter Zion, get up and crush them!
I will make you very strong.
It will be like you have horns of iron and hooves of bronze.
You will beat many people into small pieces.
You will give their wealth to the Lord.
You will give their treasure
to the Lord of all the earth."
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.